Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the recent purchase by the IDA of two land banks in County Louth; the plans for these sites; if any other associated details in relation to same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43372/21]
View answerRegional development is at the centre of IDA Ireland's new strategy. The national context for IDA’s approach to winning investment for the regions is set by Project Ireland 2040 and the associated National Planning Framework (NPF), National Development Plan and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. The IDA’s Regions pillar also aligns with the objectives of the Programme for Government in relation to regional development. IDA intends to win investment for the main regional cities and the regional growth centres identified in the NPF.
Specifically, the IDA will target 40 investments for the Mid-East region in the period 2021 to 2024. In addition to Louth, the Mid-East includes the the counties of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
There are 97 IDA client companies in the Mid-East region, directly employing 18,396 people. Co. Louth is home to 30 IDA Ireland client companies directly employing more than 4,372 people and includes the regional growth centres of Drogheda and Dundalk. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 6%.
The timely provision of appropriate, cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of multinational companies remains essential to winning FDI. IDA’s regional property programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients. A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects.
In June 2021, IDA Ireland acquired two landbanks in Co Louth. These land acquisitions, with a combined total of 149 acres are situated in Dundalk and in Drogheda and form part of IDA’s long term strategic plan to position Louth and the wider region to compete for FDI investment. The acquisition of these landbanks is part of IDA Ireland’s overall property programme.
Over the course of IDA Ireland’s strategy, "Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024", IDA will deliver 19 Advanced Building Solutions across the country, including in Drogheda and Dundalk.
